Athlete Speeches

We left Canada at 1:30 am, early, I know.I will say the flight was long and hard on our body clocks which is why many of us, including myself were happy for the 4 extra days we got to reset them. But it was more like, we were thankful for the extra days we got so we could go touring. We saw some incredible sights, being able to get to the 89th floor of the Taipei 101, up a gondola ride to the top of a mountain and a select few of us braved the stairs of elephant mountain. We also got the chance to learn a bit of the history of Taiwan by going to a museum and a historical house. The next part of our Taiwan experience is the actual games part. We left our hostel Monday afternoon, and I’d like to thank saturo and shelly who let us be our rowdy selves for four days in their wonderful place. When we got to the university we met our student ambassadors who were absolutely outstanding. The opening ceremonies were the following evening, giving us time to explore and meet other people from other countries, or for my fellow swimmers, get our butts back in the pool as they had one on campus available to use.

To keep it short, the opening ceremonies were awesome, beautifully done, and had great performances. Next comes game time. I know I didn’t get the chance to watch everyone compete in their sports, and not everyone got to see me swim, but I knew that they were rooting for me to do my best and hopefully make best times. I did get the chance to watch the other part of the waterloo delegation, the girls basketball team, in two of their games, and I can honestly say they did amazing though they lost the first game and didn’t get the chance to move into higher positions.

I think all the girls would agree with me in saying it was a once in a lifetime chance to compete against countries and make so many new friends and that, like the 3 other swimmers and I, we’d all like to thank our respective coaches for coming along and making it possible for us to do what we love. This includes the swim coach, Alex Johnson or AJ, and the basketball coach Susan Robinson. One of the basketball girls said she found the experience amazing, and that although there were many language barriers and a wide array of countries, everyone seemed to be able to come together and be friends no matter what. And that’s what the games are all about in the first place. Before I go, I’d specifically like to thank the Mayor of Waterloo, Dave Jaworsky, and the councilors. A huge thank you goes out to our parents who helped us get there and to Robbie Mulder and Kathy Stilwell who accompanied us and put up with our shenanigans for a full 10 days. Plus all of the coaches, the ones from Canada and the ones from around the world because without our coaches, where we be? Honestly?" [Less]

First off, I’d like to thank the fundraising committee, who really inspired us to work as a team; without you, this trip wouldn’t have been possible. I also want to thank all of the people from our community who donated and supported us, because whether it was a company, a business, or just a neighbor, everybody helped us get there in the end. Next, I want to thank the itinerary committee for organizing all the tours and accommodations and the apparel committee, who allowed us to spread the Canadian spirit all over the world. And finally, a big thank you to Robbie, who really kept this trip together, she did a great job putting up with us and making sure everything worked perfectly, so thank you!

Going to the International Children’s Games was an opportunity I dreamed of having since my brother went in 2012 to South Korea. The way he spoke about the games made it seem like a dream. When we got back, I realized that what my brother had explained to me wasn’t even half of the joy and happiness that I, and all of the other athletes felt. The hard work and practice that was needed to go there was nothing compared to what we were going to be rewarded with at the end. It really was the trip of a lifetime.

The reason for the happiness we had in Taiwan was mostly from all of the kindness that the Taiwanese people spread around. I remember when myself, and the rest of the table tennis athletes got lost on the way back from dinner, and started arguing about which way to go, immediately, about 15 people had crowded around us, offering to help, a scene that our tour guide guaranteed us would happen at some point on our trip. From this, I learned that the different languages we spoke couldn’t stop them from trying to show how much they cared. Another time, when we were hiking up Elephant Mountain, the basketball team stopped by some basketball courts and started playing with the teenagers that were previously on the courts. It was amazing how people from two different lifestyles, two different countries, and two different languages, could communicate through a sport they both loved.

The food there was definitely another highlight. Our tour guide brought us to her uncle’s restaurant and unlike many of the foods we eat here; all of his foods had tea as an ingredient. There was tea rice, tea chicken, tea jello, and it was all very tasty. Their traditional food was something we couldn’t miss, with rice noodles, soups, and dumplings. Until then, I didn’t realize how delicious vegetables could be!

We also had the chance to visit Taipei 101, an amazing building which had the fastest elevator in the world until 2015. The view from the 89th floor was absolutely incredible, and until now, the image is still in my head. We also got to see temples, tour museums, ride on a gondola and see one of Taiwan’s most beautiful waterfalls.

At the actual games, I’d like to personally thank Google translate for saving us. After 30, I stopped counting how many times we used it. We met people from so many different countries, and thanks to the spirit of the games, we were able to bring things home from all over the world.

We are so fortunate to live in a city that supports and allows us to have such an opportunity. We played great, and even though we didn’t go back home with a medal, we went home with so much more. We went home with new friends, new experiences, and new memories that will never be forgotten. Thank you. [Less]

 

Many sports were being played there, table tennis, soccer, athletics or track and field for us, swimming and so much more. My sport was 3on3 basketball.

The games were a great opportunity to not only meet new people from Kitchener but also other Countries.  I made friends with kids from, Israel, Australia, Lithuania, Slovenia, Malta, and Germany. In fact the German basketball team wants to come to Canada to visit us. The games were also a great opportunity because we got to learn what it would have been like to live in a place that’s history was all about war.

The 3 days before the games were a great bonding time for our delegation and let us see some of the historical sites. We went to the Sports Hall of Fame, to see some of Lithuania’s sports history. While we were waiting for the bus to come pick us up, we all played bump basketball behind the building.  The director came out and took our photo.  He told us he wanted to put it on display inside.

My favourite historical site had to have been the Ninth Fort.  The fort started out as a first line of defence for the city of Kaunas during the first World War, but never actually was used.  The other 8 forts were defeated and the 9th surrendered. During the second World War the fort was used as a concentration camp.  Many people were killed there.  This Fort shows a lot of Lithuania’s history and also helps explain their quote this year “We are here to change our history.”  Their history isn’t very good, a lot of countries have invaded, and they have been under many different rulers.                   

My favorite part of the games was the social times in between competitions. There was time to talk with the other countries, and trade pins.  We did a lot of pin trading! Our girls basketball team had time to go watch the swimmers, and table tennis compete. We even watched some of the athletics even though no one from our delegation was competing there. My least favourite part were the bus rides to get to the venues. They were very long and there were so many people on the bus you could hardly move.  But we did make lots of friends on these rides because we were so close together. 

The dorms where we stayed were nice.Our basketball and swimming team were together with table tennis right beside us. We were really close to each other and was a great bonding place too.

The food wasn’t that great. Breakfast and dinner were served at the dormitories, and were buffet style. Our lunch consisted of a salad or sandwich, with water, a bun,and an apple, served at our competition site.

For me the highlight of the whole trip was the social evening.  One word to discribe it was “awesome”.  You got to play lots of games, foosball where you were the people,normal foosball, and “wipeout”. During the social evening there was a foam pit. We got soaked!!.There were fireworks, music, and so much more.  We got to hang out with all the other kids and made lots of new friends. That night was the best night ever.

Even though our girls basketball team didn’t do very well during the competitions it was an experience I will never forget.  Winning isn’t everything….there was so much more!!

          I would like to thank the KWICG and the City of Kitchener for selecting me and the rest of our delegation to be apart of this!  I also want to thank the other athletes here and the delegation.  Without them I don't think it would have been as mind blowing.

Thank you so very much!

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This truly was a once in a lifetime opportunity and we are so grateful to all of you for making it possible.  Thank you. 

After more than 12 months of fundraising, meetings, athlete assignments and planning, our big day arrived. We boarded the bus at Rim Park to begin our 40 hour journey to Innsbruck. When we finally arrived in Innsbruck we were all so tired but also so excited and we jumped right into activities. After checking into our hotel, we walked out to the Audioversum, an interactive museum of sound. Then we had dinner where we ate traditional Austrian dumplings, schnitzel and goulash.  Because so many of us were falling asleep at the table we had an early night back at the hotel for some much needed sleep.

We spent the first couple of days sightseeing.

First we toured the Swarovski Crystal World - it was very dazzling, and I know that all the figure skaters were imagining how all those brilliant crystals would look amazing on their dresses. Outside of the exhibit there was a 4 storey building that was full of slides, trampolines, ropes and play structures that we all had the best time ever on.  

Then we rode a gondola 7400 feet up a mountain and saw a majestic view of the Austrian Alps. Along the way we stopped at the Alpen Zoo, which is a zoo on the mountain that is full of Austrian animals, such as mountain goats, birds and wolves.

Lastly we visited the Ambras castle, which was filled with military armour and where we learned much about Austria’s history. 

At last it was time to move into the athlete’s village. After checking into our rooms we visited home base which was a child’s wonderland of videogames, tightropes and skate boards.  This is where we began to meet athletes from other countries. That evening we had our opening ceremonies. I can’t tell you how amazing and special we felt marching in as a delegation, carrying the Waterloo flag and waving our Canada flags.

Finally the games began!!   We all had the opportunity to compete in the sport we love at an international level. For some of us this competition may be the only international competition we participate in. What a once in a life time memory to have. For others of us, this may be the first of many international competitions- what an extraordinary, once in a life time way to begin an international, competitive career. 

While this was a great experience to showcase our sport for others, it was a great opportunity to watch other sports and see athletes who are as passionate about their sports as we are about ours.

However, my most favourite part of this trip was the atmosphere. During the games, every delegation got along with one another and even developed friendships.  This competition was unlike any other competition I have been to before. Instead of everybody not speaking to each other in the hopes of beating them, competitors were becoming friends. The other ice dance team we competed against consisted of a girl named Corrina Hubert. We quickly became friends and continue to keep in touch. I have never been to a competition with great competitors but such a friendly, stress free atmosphere.  

Another exciting aspect of the games was all the trading that was done. Each athlete from the Waterloo delegation came prepared with pins and extras of some clothing to trade. At home base, the arena, and on the bus we were always trading with athletes from other countries. I really love my new Swiss hat.

The founder of the International Children’s Games, Metod Klemenc, said that since his childhood suffered from World War II, he wanted to create a better world based on friendship through sport. I believe that he was very successful in his mission.  The games do bring children, countries and cultures together and build friendship and goodwill. So, thank you to Mr. Klemenc for his vision, and thank you members of the Waterloo City Council for your support in making this exceptional, once in a life time opportunity possible. Thank you!

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